Two Little Falls women charged with felony welfare fraud

Three people recently were arrested for welfare fraud in Herkimer County, including two Little Falls women who face felony charges, the Herkimer County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.

By Staff reports

The Times

By Staff reports

Posted May. 7, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated May 7, 2012 at 7:21 AM

By Staff reports

Posted May. 7, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated May 7, 2012 at 7:21 AM

Herkimer, N.Y.

Three people recently were arrested for welfare fraud in Herkimer County, including two Little Falls women who face felony charges, the Herkimer County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.

•Diane Crimmins, 46, of 9 Danube St., allegedly submitted a recertification packet to the childcare unit of the Department of Social Services that contained two forged prescriptions and falsified childcare time sheets, resulting in her receiving $4,798 for daycare services, deputies said.

Crimmins is charged with felony third-degree welfare fraud, felony third-degree grand larceny, felony first-degree offering a false instrument for filing and felony second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument. She was arraigned in Herkimer Village Court and will return to court on May 22.

•Jessica Feane, 32, of 579 John St., allegedly submitted a recertification packet to the Herkimer County Department of Social Services in which she failed to list all household members and their income, allowing her to receive $21,000 in childcare services, deputies said.

Deputies said Carr allegedly collected welfare benefits from New York state and Florida for over a four-month period. She was released on an appearance ticket returnable in court on May 8.

Investigator Rick Salamone of the Herkimer County Sheriff’s Office Welfare Fraud Unit said by working closely with the county Department of Social Services Welfare Fraud Unit, the sheriff’s office is better able to track and follow up on welfare fraud at levels throughout the county.